Countries

Sweden

At this moment, there are still millions of elms across Sweden. Many of the larger and valuable elms are located in urban areas.

In Sweden three different bark beetles occur: S. Scolytus (Fabr. 1775), S. laevis and S. multistriatus (Marsh. 1802). The latter only occurs on Gotland. Dutch Elm Disease arrived in Sweden around 1950 and novi-ulmo around 1980. Sweden’s climate has prevented Dutch elm disease spreading to some parts of the country. However recent changes in the climate have allowed it to spread further. Unfortunately the first signs of this rapid spread became visible in 2010.

Current crop protection tools and practices

At present the two practices used in Sweden are sanitation (removal and destruction of infected trees) and plugging stumps with RoundUpStop to prevent root spreading. The latter has been used in a trial on Gotland to determine if root spreading could be prevented without effecting surrounding trees.

It is important to note that the tools involve controlling the spread of Dutch Elm Disease, rather than its prevention. None of these tools function in the preventative way of DutchTrig®. This is of particular importance to Gotland where elm trees are one of the few species that can be successfully grown to a significant size in the harsh climate.

Future

Elm trees are a highly respected species throughout Sweden and individual trees represent the most beautiful scenery in cities and rural areas. In 2010, a DutchTrig® injection campaign began, which has raised awareness in Sweden that tree owners have a chance to protect their elms.

Permits

In April 2010 DutchTrig® was registered in Sweden by the Kemikalieinspektionen as a Plant Protection Product (PPP).